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For thousands of years, humans have domesticated two insects: the honeybee (1), raised mainly for its production of honey and wax, and the silkmoth (2), whose caterpiller, called the silkworm, produces silk.

Photo: Insectarium de Montréal (René Limoges)

For thousands of years, humans have domesticated two insects: the honeybee (1), raised mainly for its production of honey and wax, and the silkmoth (2), whose caterpiller, called the silkworm, produces silk.

Photo: Insectarium de Montréal (Marika D'Eschambeault)

In Quebec alone, the annual average production of honey varies from 1000 to 2000 tons, worth $4.8 to $9.7 million (Canadian).

Photo: Insectarium de Montréal (Pierre Racine)

To produce one kilogram of wax, bees must consume 10 kg of honey!

Photo: Insectarium de Montréal (René Limoges)

Some insects participate in global economic activities by providing substances that are useful to humans, such as honey, wax, silk, lacquer and dye. Furthermore, pharmaceutical researchers are currently studying substance produced by insects’ immune systems, as their natural defences are very effective against microbial infections. In Russia, researchers have created, patented and begun producing a medical preparation called alloferon that contains a substance produced by maggots. This preparation has successfully passed clinical tests and is used to treat herpes.